Some 2,000 Arabs gathered on the Temple Mount in the Old City of Jerusalem, stoned yeshiva students yesterday as rumors spread that supporters of Rabbi Meir Kahane would attempt to pray on the Temple Mount. Six of the students and some 50 Arab youths were detained by the police.
The incident came on the heels of recent at tempts by Jewish militant groups to pray inside the compound, which is a sacred site to both Jews and Moslems, as well as against a background of general unrest following the success of President Carter’s peace mission. This was the second straight Sabbath that disturbances took place in the area.
The incident was marked by a general business strike in East Jerusalem and the Old City as well. Close to 10 a. m., hundreds of Arab youths began arriving in the Temple compound, armed with staves, rocks and iron bars By mid-afternoon, the demonstrators had closed off the Mount to all but Moslems, and security personnel failed to gain entrance to the area.
INCIDENT SPARKED BY SERMON
The stoning incident took place about 5 p.m. when a group of 20 yeshiva students were spotted on their way to the Temple Mount. Moslem youths consequently began stoning them, until police intervention put a halt to their activities. While 50 Arabs were taken into custody the rest of the demonstrators remained in the compound overnight to continue guarding the site.
The incident and mass demonstration was apparently set off by a sermon delivered by the Sheikh of AI Aksa Mosque, which is situated on the Temple Mount. In his traditional speech on Friday, the Moslem Sabbath, the Sheikh told thousands of worshippers that an attempt by Jewish demonstrators to pray on the site on the following day was expected. He called on them all to attend the prayer session on Saturday in order to guard the compound from them.
Although only one incident of actual violence took place, the atmosphere in the area yesterday was extremely hostile. Hundreds of policemen, border patrolmen and military personnel were stationed in the area in order to avert additional outbursts.
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